as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
she is quite proficient at computer repair a proficient rendition of a difficult piano piece
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
an urgent call by the state department for proficients in Arabic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proficient
Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
At Edison Elementary, 73% of third-grade students scored proficient in reading.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Hispanic kids were likewise lagging the state average, 37% proficient in English and 30% in mathematics.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Adjective
Nationally, the percentage of fourth graders considered proficient in reading sits just above 30%, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the nation's report card.
—Makiya Seminera The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
At Edison Elementary, 73% of third-grade students scored proficient in reading.
—Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Ganado Unified School District saw a 159 percent increase in students who tested proficient.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Hispanic kids were likewise lagging the state average, 37% proficient in English and 30% in mathematics.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficient
Adjective
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Having spent a decade in lower-skilled positions at Virco, including in shipping and receiving, Moss is excited to have this chance.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
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Many of the region’s preschools operate on shoe-string budgets, serving largely low-income families who cannot afford the tuition hikes that would cover higher-skilled teachers or extra training.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some Japanese experts have commented that minesweeping would be a mission that the country could carry out when hostilities end.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
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Hardliners appeared to consolidate power in Iran as a result of US and Israeli air strikes, with experts fearing restrictions on dissent could be even harsher.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As an actress, Avery is an equally adept story teller.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
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But just as it is said that both John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were extremely adept at the age of television.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Young studied biology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, before pursuing a master’s at New York University’s Science, Health & Environmental Reporting Program.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
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The master artist layered in cool and neutral tones for some covetable depth while focusing on the hair around her face so as to better structure it.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ryan plays a character who’s unbelievably skillful and unbelievably scared.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
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That was so skillful and subtle.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Predictive text leads to predictive writing As many scholars have noted, though, this vision of writing was never fully accurate.—
Gayle Rogers,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2026
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Sam Winter-Levy is a fellow at the Technology and International Affairs Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where Anton Leicht is a visiting scholar.—
Wendy R. Anderson,
Washington Post,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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John Keating, a combat veteran who served on the City Council for 15 years, pitched himself as an experienced politician who understands city government deeply.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Along with Atre’s problematic business dealings, the book explores his stormy relationship with Rachael Lynch, an experienced grower with a degree in environmental science.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The popular hits will be performed by a 20-piece orchestra, with arrangements written by Juilliard cello virtuoso Dave Eggar and conductor Chuck Palmer.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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But this is why, like any virtuoso, there is an undeniable continuity of his work.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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